The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has read the riot act to new councilors of the embattled Mtubatuba Municipality. Dube-Ncube MEC issued a stern that she would not hesitate to sack any councillor who exhibit disruptive behaviour during council proceedings.
Dube-Ncube was speaking at the inauguration of the new Mtubatuba Municipal council which saw ANC councillor Israel Nyawo and Mbongiseni Gina voted the new Mayor and Speaker. The Mtubatuba Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), was dissolved by the Provincial Government in February 2015 following months of instability caused by councillor infighting which paralysed the function of the council.
“Today we are pulling down the curtain to the age of foolishness and ushering a new season of light in this municipality. Even though the Mtubatuba municipality is worlds apart today from where it was just a few months ago, the progress is still very fragile. That is why we urge the new councillors not to disappoint the trust of the local people and conduct their council business and oversight with utmost seriousness and responsibility.
We have no wish for a repeat of the political infighting we saw in this municipality up until this year and we will not take kindly to any breach of the fragile stability Mtubatuba is enjoying today,” said Dube-Ncube.
“We are all aware of Mtubatuba’s special circumstances. Only a few months ago, the municipality’s financial situation was dire, with a negative cash balance. This has now been changed and with greater stability in the municipality. We, however, wish to continue with our intervention so as to ensure continuity and stability and to give the new councillors time to familiarise themselves with the systems that have been put in place here to prevent Mtubatuba from sliding backwards,” said Dube-Ncube.
The town of Mtubatuba is one of the key small towns which have been earmarked by the Provincial Government for a R400 million development boost. This will see the construction of a government office precinct and state-of-the-art facilities intended for the community and the local business. In the long run, this investment aims to revitalise this important historical town in KZN.
The Mtubatuba Municipality is composed of 38 councilors.
For more information please contact:
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
Msawakhe Mayisela
Cell: 060 966 4220
